Tour helps to rekindle the connect with fans: A R Rahman

Mumbai: Oscar winning composer-singer A R Rahman, who is set to embark on a month-long musical tour across the country, says it would be an effort to closely interact with fans while celebrating music.

After making the nation proud on several global musical platforms, music-maestro Rahman is set for an India tour, titled `Rahmanishq`. The tour will begin in Kolkata on October 1, followed by Visakhapatnam (October 12), Jaipur (October 20) and Ahmedabad (October 27). "It is always fun and exciting to perform for fans. It will be an experience of music, joy and fun. I think everything has a right time. And it is so good that this is happening now. Three years back I didn`t even know my future," Rahman told reporters here last evening. "I want to closely interact with my fans while we celebrate my music on the tour. We are a great prosperous musical nation and tours like these are a great way to rekindle the connect with the audiences on a more personalised level," he added. Rahman, 47, hopes that this tour will mark a new beginning for many more such events that will set a benchmark in the music industry. The `Mozart of Madras` said it is the love of the audience which keeps motivating him to create more and more music. He feels a singer will have a creative ego but he must keep the personal ego aside. "I feel any true artiste will have creative ego, without that your work can`t be the best. But you have to be at war with your personal ego," he said. During the tour, Rahman will be joined by singers like Javed Ali, Neeti Mohan, Sweta Pandit and Harshdeep Kaur among others. The musical-extravaganza will have live interactive theatrical experience encompassing his award winning musical renditions right from `Roja`, `Jodhaa Akbar`, `Slumdog Millionnaire`, `Jab Tak Hai Jaan` to `Raanjhanaa`. The tour aims at spreading the message of friendship, peace and happiness through music. Before starting his Indian league, Rahman will present his technologically advanced concert in Sydney on August 24. The composer, singer-songwriter, who has seen both success and failure, says if failure comes because of non preparation or lack of work then you feel guilty. If it comes by destiny, then you understand that it just turned out that way. PTI